Verstappen holds off Leclerc to claim first Singapore Grand Prix win

Max Verstappen turned pole into his first Singapore Grand Prix victory, but Charles Leclerc made him work for it. The Ferrari driver got the better launch from second, yet Verstappen held the lead. Leclerc's late pace brought the pressure back, while Kimi Antonelli finished third.

Overtaking was difficult on the Marina Bay Street Circuit, and the order at the front stayed unchanged through the early laps. Gabriel Bortoleto's gearbox trouble forced him to stop on track near the pit exit on lap 8, bringing out a virtual safety car. His car was cleared quickly. As the race progressed, Lewis Hamilton began to lose touch with Verstappen and Leclerc on the medium tyres, while Antonelli and both McLarens stayed close behind him.

Ferrari brought Hamilton in from the mediums for softs on lap 19. He rejoined seventh behind Liam Lawson; whether the tyres would last to the finish was still an open question. Antonelli pitted on lap 24 in an attempt to block Hamilton, but emerged behind him. Ferrari then stopped Leclerc, who returned just ahead of Hamilton and fended off an attack from his teammate.

Franco Colapinto's stoppage on lap 31 looked like a chance for Verstappen to pit, but the race was not neutralised. Verstappen stopped on lap 33, as did Lando Norris, and returned to the track still leading.

Lance Stroll's stoppage triggered a second virtual safety car. Leclerc and Antonelli used it to switch back to softs, and Leclerc was told to push with 16 seconds to make up on Verstappen. With about 12 laps remaining, he began clawing back time. Verstappen's radio was not working properly. He also ran off track at the final corner as Leclerc closed in. The gap then stabilised, ending Leclerc's late challenge.

Hamilton was noted by the stewards after going off track but did not lose a place to Norris or Antonelli at that point. Both passed him soon afterwards as his old soft tyres faded. Verstappen won by 7.335 seconds over Leclerc, with Antonelli third 24.573 seconds behind.